HSTA-R West Hawaii Community Club December Meeting Announcement – Pupus with Patti

The West-Hawaii Community Club met for “Pupus with Patti” at the lovely home of retiree and professional chef, Patti Kimball, on Friday, December 14th. Patti demonstrated several easy to make and delicious pupus using lots of vegetables and other healthy ingredients. Everyone got into the action to help make the pupus. We shared our own favorite pupu dishes for lunch. In attendance were: Karen Nakashima, Janet Okimoto, Eunice Saito, Kikuyo Karimoto, Margaret Fuchino, Puanani Wong, Ellen Berning, Cheri Heard, Virginia Halliday, Karen Johnston, Colleen Wallis, and Jo Ann Iwane.

The next activity will be the West Hawaii Annual meeting on Thursday, January 31st, at the West Hawaii Civic Center from 9 am to 1 pm. Please RSVP to Jo Ann so that a bento can be ordered for you. A meeting notice will be sent out in the mail to all HSTA-R members in West Hawaii.”

]]>https://hstarbigisland.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/special-relationship-committee-between-hsta-and-hsta-r/feed/0hstarbigislandVaughn TokashikJoaneSharon MahoeBeverly Gotellinew column photo 003HSTA-R Big Island shows support by wearing Grey Ribbonshttps://hstarbigisland.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/hsta-r-big-island-shows-support-by-wearing-grey-ribbons/
https://hstarbigisland.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/hsta-r-big-island-shows-support-by-wearing-grey-ribbons/#commentsWed, 17 Oct 2012 01:16:29 +0000http://hstarbigisland.wordpress.com/?p=1311At the last Hawaii District Council meeting eneryone in attendance wore grey ribbons to show support for members with Brain cancer and their families for which I am one of them. I thank the District Council for lending their suppot and prayers. Because Grey Matters!
]]>https://hstarbigisland.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/hsta-r-big-island-shows-support-by-wearing-grey-ribbons/feed/1hstarbigislandhstar 001hstar 002HSTAR 004HSTAR 005HARA Big Island Elects Officers to new 2 year teamhttps://hstarbigisland.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/hara-big-island-elects-officers-to-new-2-year-team/
https://hstarbigisland.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/hara-big-island-elects-officers-to-new-2-year-team/#respondMon, 15 Oct 2012 18:09:09 +0000http://hstarbigisland.wordpress.com/?p=1309HARA BIG ISLAND Elects Officers to new 2 Year TEARM

WHCC members, family, friends, and HSTA-R Hawaii Island Chapter President Niyati Brown stepped back in time through paniolo country on September 26 at Anna Ranch Heritage Center in Waimea. The rolling video and educational tour brought to life the amazing grit, foresight, wisdom, and flamboyance of Anna Perry-Fiske, known as “The First Lady of Ranching” and “Queen of Pa’u Riders.” Anna left indelible marks in the economy and culture of the community and state. The hundred-acre ranch maintains a herd of ten cattle cross-bred from the Charolais and Charbray stocks she imported.

Participants (from Paauilo through Kealakekua) also walked the colorful gardens and Discovery Trail or chatted with the center’s blacksmith and took advantage of the lunch and shopping venues in town.

On Sept. 28, a new movie, “Won’t Back Down,” was released in theaters across the country. The movie, which was produced by conservative billionaire Philip Anschutz, portrays teachers unions as an obstacle to education reform. It attempts to hide its true anti-worker agenda behind an emotionally charged storyline about parents taking over a failing school.

We are strongly encouraging affiliates to help spread the real facts about this movie:

“Won’t Back Down” is flawed, inaccurate and intended to promote a political agenda to privatize education.

· The movie is intended to build support for “parent trigger” laws that allow charter school operators to collect majority petitions from parents, which then enables charter schools to take over public schools.

· Parent trigger laws are being pushed in legislatures throughout the country by organizations like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which Walden Media owner and oil billionaire Philip Anschutz helps fund. The emotional appeal of the movie is intended to help push this type of legislation.

· Walden Media’s Anschutz has funded many organizations that operate against the public interest in favor of corporate interests.

· Anschutz opposes employees having a voice on the job through a union and collective bargaining, and he spends a lot of money trying to get those rights curtailed.

· Anschutz also has invested millions in anti-gay and anti-environmental organizations, displaying—along with his attacks on public schools—a set of values out-of-step with most audiences of this film.

It’s time to support our teachers – not vilify them

· Teachers unions across the country are working with parents, administrators, community and businesses to improve public schools, and that is the story worth telling.

The last thing the country needs is another attack on employees and their unions. Unions give hardworking employees a voice on the job. And unions help ensure that we can advocate for those who depend on the vital services union members provide.

· Teachers are devoted to their students and their work. Despite the budget cuts we’ve seen everywhere, teachers continue to do more with less, and go above and beyond to mentor, guide and encourage children.

Teachers unions give educators a voice in their work and the ability to work together to advocate for students and their parents.

· “Won’t Back Down” ignores the positive contributions teachers make through their unions to improve the quality of education in schools.

The Chamber of Commerce and a number of right-wing organizations are sponsoring showings of the movie in cities across the country. If you hear of any special showings in your area, or if you have any questions or want additional information on the movie, please contact Larry Doyle, deputy director of AFT organization and field services at ldoyle@aft.org.

My “Live Wire” article will be appearing in the next issue of our Hawaii District HSTA-R HI-LITES newsletter but time is of essence and Our Dear Friend Wayne “Big Dog” Joseph needs Our Prayers, Love & Support Now. Wayne has done so much and been there for all of us…Let’s Show Him that We’re Here for Him !!!

Please read this article and join us in Prayer for Wayne as he “Fights for His Life”. We ask that You also kindly share this with Your Family and Friends because Every Prayer Counts and the Power of Prayer Can Bring Miracles.

Thank You from the bottom of my Heart for All of Your Prayers, Love & Support for Wayne, his wife Randee and their Family. With Love & Humble Gratitude, Arleen

“LIVE WIRE” September/October, 2012

By: Arleen Yoshimura

Once in a lifetime you cross paths with an individual so extraordinary that your life is changed forever. That Special Person is Wayne “Big Dog” Joseph. HE IS AN INSPIRATION and has touched so many people and made such a tremendous difference in their lives as he has in mine.

Wayne stands out in any crowd, not only because of his height, but because of his “Heart”. Always caring & sharing, & forever striving to help others especially in improving their quality of life. Wayne is the living example of a “healthy human being”. He eats well, exercises and engages in so many worthy activities. He is most well known for serving as the Executive Director of the Big Island International Marathon. He has been instrumental in motivating hundreds of volunteers and inspiring almost a thousand runners & walkers from around the world to participate. The “Big Dog” as he is fondly known is also famous for his weekly column in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. With his warm & human touch, he features people in our community and brings them to life as amazing individuals.

Our paths crossed when Wayne became the VP and then President of our HI District HSTA-R. His achievements were phenomenal…he created our district web site which established a real connection to our members, communicating updated information. He lead a proactive informative demonstration when our current Governor visited. He was able to personally talk to the Governor and got it on tape which the news station broadcasted. I feel this was the catalyst that encouraged the parties to restart their efforts to resolve the teachers’ labor disputes. He also brought other unions’ members together to join forces for our common goals.

Wayne made history in a first ever sweep of all of the State HSTA-R Awards… Membership, Communication, Program and the Most Coveted District of the Year Award for 2012.

Early this year, Wayne was diagnosed with a rare brain disease. Through the insistence of his loving and supportive Wife Randee, Wayne had brain surgery on February 1st to remove a malignant tumor. Chemo and radiation followed and he was on the “Road to Recovery”.

Wayne and Randee recently ventured to Houston, Texas to seek further treatment, but sadly returned home. Wayne is in a “Fight for his Life” and we’d like to ask everyone to please join in Prayer and tell all of Your Family & Friends to Pray for Wayne. Let’s all come together in Prayer to help our Dear Friend Wayne “Big Dog” Joseph. He needs all of Our Prayers, Love and Support More Than Ever. With Love and Humble Gratitude, Arleen

I am off to a running start with my new presidency. After a period of illness and taking care of my dad on the mainland I have settled into the work at hand. I am so delighted to be working with such an efficient Executive Board and District Council. They are strong women and men with lots of experience to offer a more recent retiree like me. Listed below are the activities I have been involved with so far.

Democrat activities for Hawaii island

Exec. Board planning meeting

Hilo Chapter Exec. Board meeting for actives

Retirement Issues Committee meeting on O’ahu

State Board of Directors meeting on O’ahu

Pre-retirement workshop planning

Presidents training on O’ahu

Treasurers training on O’ahu

Activity communications with council, members, community

Thank you to all who have helped me through these beginning times as president.